More hi-tech news, views and juicy hot gossip!

Read all about Roland's new U20 synth, Korg's M3R and S3 rhythm workstation, Peavey's mouthwatering new recording gear, and lots more!

Even a relatively modest MIDI setup can create MIDI routing problems, and solutions to these aren’t always easy to find. Paul Ireson investigates the range of Philip Rees MIDI management boxes to see what they can offer.

Paul Ireson takes a look at The Final Cut, a budget sequencing program for the Atari ST that offers the beginner more than the average entry-level program.

In the second part of his review of the new Yamaha C1 music computer, Ian Gilby provides a rundown of the different types of music programs available for the C1 and explores the sequencing and MIDI utility program's that are bundled free with the computer.

What can you do with a sampler when you're bored of sampling? Paul Ireson finds an answer to this question in the form of creative software from Digidesign that can turn your sampler into a powerful synthesizer.

The 8-track challenge: with the release of a new Tascam machine and the recent price cut on the Fostex E8, we thought it opportune to compare the two models. David Mellor adjudicates in the battle of the budget 8-tracks.

David Mellor compares the new Sony DTC M100 Digital Audio Tape recorder with the studio industry standard - the Sony DTC 1000ES.

In this final part of the series, Akai product specialist Steve Howell explores sample editing using multiple loops, and the S1000’s new timestretch feature.

Following on from last month’s praise-filled preview. Paul Ireson takes a longer, harder look at Ensoniq's new VFX synthesizer, and finds that the beauty of this machine is far more than skin-deep. Is this the synth of 1989? Read the review to find out...

The release of the M1R puts the M1’s hot sounds in a compact rack-mounting package that will undoubtedly appeal to musicians and studios already burdened by a surfeit of keyboards. Martin Russ looks beyond the surface appeal.

PART 2: David Mellor explores the sampling capabilities of the world’s most expensive musical instrument - the Synclavier.

PART 1: Ace programmer Greg Truckell begins a power user’s guide to this popular LA synth expander.

PART 8: David Mellor expands on some of the points that have arisen so far in the series and looks at some alternative patchbays from Connectronics.

PART 4: Martin Russ provides some solid examples of how to utilise the hidden power of MIDI’s SysEx commands to reprogramme synths on-the-fly and to store snapshots of all your synth and effects patches on disk.

A voice, a few guitars, a bit of processing, and a hell of a lot of inspiration. Mark J. Prendergast investigates...

More hints, tips and update news from the world of music software.

Musician, ‘superstar’ and SOS contributor Tony Hastings has a right old go at equipment manufacturers and music shops.